WHY CHOOSE A COUNSELLOR ON AN ACCREDITED REGISTER?

Counsellling is not a regulated profession, which means that anyone can say they're a counsellor and offer therapy services. That's why it's important to choose a counsellor who's listed on a Professional Standards Authority Accredited Register.

The Accredited Register programme was set up by the government to ensure public safety and high professional standards in unregulated health services. The Accredited Registers demand the same high standards from practitioners as statutory regulatory bodies, so that members of the public can choose a therapist with confidence.

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In order to be listed on an Accredited Register, a counsellor has to:

• meet rigorous professional standards

• demonstrate a high level of training and qualification, covering both theory and clinical practice

• adhere to an ethical code of conduct

• be insured and supervised

• undertake regular CPD

• be subject to an official complaints procedure

This means that if you choose a counsellor on an Accredited Register, you know you're dealing with a qualified, competent and trustworthy practitioner.

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The Professional Standards Authority website lists all of the counselling organisations holding Accredited Registers. These include the National Counselling Society (NCS), the Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC), and the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT).

If you're looking for a counsellor, I'm a member of the National Counselling Society and listed on an Accredited Register. You can find out more about me here.